but oh my heart is flawed // closed

[pipers_son]

Who: Joker and a whole bunch of people (Tamaki, Psionic, Childermass, Ginko, Doll, Hinawa)
What: After a good couple of years faking it, Joker finally breaks. He just wishes that multiple people didn't see it.
When: Early on in the Alola stop
Where: A couple places, including in a tree
Warnings: Alcohol. Joker's messed up past including child murder. A slight mental break.


[Snake is leaving.]

[Joker see it coming a mile away. All the bits of packing in their tiny shared space, and... Who couldn't see such obvious signs? But even with that kind of warning.... He doesn't do anything about it. Tries to ignore it, get back to work and do what he can, because the alternative is facing not only that hurt but so much else.]

[But there's no ignoring it when he steps into the trailer and all traces of Snake are gone.]

[Keep smiling and move forward. For years, that's been the only way he's been able to survive. Keep moving, keep making for over the hill, and until then, so that no one worries or sees too much... Keep smiling.]

[The words repeat through his head as he moves through the darkened carnival, a mantra to keep him going.]

[Just.... keep smiling.]

Comments

Time Skip

[dorkypantsuit]

The physical aspect of the question was specifically what he was asking for. He's glad at least, that Joker can stand up. Now they just had to give walking a try. He holds his hand out, even after Joker's standing on his own, because he isn't sure what made the human collapse the first time or if it might happen again. He's pretty clearly worried and unsure, but there's another feeling there too. It's something close to confidence, or maybe even pride. That Joker's agreed to let him help, even though he's worried, that gives him some small amount of hope that things will get better. It's probably one of the bigger differences between them, Psi still believed things could get better. There's a future where he isn't so lucky, strung up and forced into an eternity of motionless servitude, but he's yet to have that last bit of joy stamped out of him, so for now he lets himself believe that change is possible.

It doesn't take them too long to get to the Psionic's trailer. Hopefully they both make it in one piece. Psi let's Joker get settled inside at the table while he debates on how to proceed.

"Do you want... A drink?"

[pipers_son]

There's no disaster, no collapse, not even a stumble. Joker walks perfectly fine. Well. He walks, at least, but there's no casual stroll or energetic quick footed pace. All he does is... walk, quiet and subdued.

It's a relief when they finally reach the trailer, and Joker glances away as Psi asks his question. Something to drink, huh? "Don't think ya have anythin' that would suit me," he says, not explaining further.

[dorkypantsuit]

Right. He closes his eyes, face coloring in embarrassment as he realizes what Joker must mean. Joker still hadn't been able to get rid of the vampire infection. He's never seen Joker like this before, mood so dour, and now he'd probably made it worse by forgetting how he'd been turned. He sighs, before turning back to sit down with his friend, at a loss for what to do. The whole walk here Joker had been silent. He can't believe leaving his friend in a heap in the woods was the right idea, and yet he isn't certain this was the right one.

"I guess... Some kind of distraction then?"

A distraction...

"I could get you off?"

[pipers_son]

That almost makes him want to smile again. Dry and brief, yeah, but a smile. Back to the same stand bys as usual, right? Fuck... Maybe that's what he needs. The only question is if he'll even be able to get it up but...

Well. No better time to find out, right?

So he let out a breath, nodding. An attempt is made to smile. "Yeah. Wouldn't mind that."

[dorkypantsuit]

At least he attempts to smile. Psi smiles too, glad to see his suggestion accepted.

"Alright then." And then he stands, grabbing Joker's hand to lead him over to the bed, mostly because it's the most comfortable place to sit. There's certainly not enough room for them to do anything with the bench seating near the kitchen table. On the bed there's plenty of room for whatever they might get up to, like for example, Psi leaning close to give Joker a kiss.

Cue makeouts.

[pipers_son]

Cue makeouts indeed.

And hey- at least Psi isn't alone with fumbling with stupid asshole fangs. A learning experience for everyone.